Equinet’s latest publication “Preliminary assessment of the EU Green Deal’s impact on equality. Survey of current practices and needs of European Equality Bodies” explores the potential of the EU Green Deal in realising a transition towards carbon neutrality that is fair and inclusive, and defines the role of Equality Bodies in the field of climate change and equality.
Climate change exacerbates existing inequalities, as it disproportionately affects certain groups within society, such as the poor, marginalized, young, and elderly people, women etc. At the same time, equality-blind climate change measures carry a risk of accentuating marginalization and inequality. Groups that are already marginalized have limited resources to adapt to changing circumstances and may be left behind in the transition toward a carbon-neutral society.
In 2022, Equinet commissioned a research paper to explore the relationship between climate change, the European Green Deal, and equality, with a special focus on how vulnerable groups in European society might be impacted by the implementation of the Green Deal. The research paper also aimed at building the capacity of Equality Bodies to address inequalities related to climate change and understand their role in the implementation of climate change policies that adopt an equality and intersectional approach.
The paper written by Siel Hoornaert, Katrien van der Heyden, and Babs Verhoev, assesses the equality dimension of the EU Green Deal focusing on 4 areas: energy consumption, circular economy, environment, and land use. It discusses the results of a survey among Equinet members to understand their knowledge and engagement on climate change. Finally, the paper highlights promising initiatives by Equality Bodies and offers recommendations to both Equinet and its members to effectively address climate and inequality.